Fly Fishing Smith River CaliforniaThe Smith River drains the Pacific Coast Ranges just west of the Siskiyou Mountains just south of the Oregon border in extreme Northern California. The main stem of the river is formed by the confluence of its North and Middle Forks. The South Fork Smith River also joins in on the flow just below the North and Middle Fork confluence. The Smith River ends its twenty-mile long course at the Pacific Ocean. It's the third largest river inCalifornia.

This Smith River flows through Siskiyou National Forest. Much of the river is followed by State Route #199. It has crystal clear water that flows through deep canyons shadowed by tall redwood trees. Its flows depend on the Fall and Winter rains that start in November. The river is best fished from a drift boat but can also be waded and fished from its banks in places.

Salmon show up in the middle of October and finish their spawning activity by the first week or two of January. The Chinook Salmon average from sixteen to twenty-five pounds but get much larger. The pride of the Smith River are its special steelhead. These fish run large and attract anglers from across the nation. These large fish show up from January through March. Rowdy Creek fish hatchery is located on the river and raises on 100,000 steelhead per year. Most all the fish that return to the Smith River are either native or from the Rowdy Creek hatchery. The river holds the record for the largest steelhead caught in California.

Fly fishing the Smith River is a wonderful experience irregardless of the catch. It is strikingly beautiful and rated the 3rd cleanest river in the World. It's located in the heart of the Redwood National Forest.

Wild steelhead with the adipose fin intact or trout may be retained. You can only use barbless hooks. Anglers can keep two hatchery trout or steelhead per day with four in possession. There's an annual limit for wild Chinook salmon of five fish.

The lower river sees plenty of drift boats during the season and can be crowded. It should be pointed out that fly fishing the Smith River can be a demanding and rough ordeal. The river is strong, swift and full of surprises. Water levels are very important.

Seasons:The season is species dependentSpring:Winter run steelhead season last into the month of AprilSummer:Fall Chinook run starts in August. Sea run cutthroat.Fall:The Chinook run last through the Fall months. Sea run cutts.Winter:Wintertime is prime steelhead time. The run starts in December and last through the Winter months. The Chinook season ends in December.

Type of StreamFreestone

SpeciesSteelhead (native and hatchery)Coho Salmon (hatchery and a few native)Chinook Salmon

Smith River California Fly Fishing Report:11/22/13 Water has been high and few fish have been caught according to a customer. Water is now back down to normal flows. He is getting stocked up on our Black Stonefly steelhead nymph, size 6 he caught fish on consistently last season.

01/11/14 The low flows should be ending as rain is falling in the northwestern corner of California. This should be a big benefit is bringing in some steelhead into the Smith River. Currently, it is still flowing well below normal so let's hope it doesn't stop raining.

02/06/14 Not many fish have been caught due to the drought situation. Help is on the way with plenty of rain and snow in the forecast.

Options For Selecting Flies:1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.

3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.

All orders are shipped free in theU. S. Orders over $50 are shipped via Priority Mail.

06/01/14 Sorry for the lack of reports. We will be resuming the reports soon.

12/18/14 Sorry for the lack of reports. The river was very low for a long time but things have changed and winter steelhead are moving in big time. The water is again on the rise and from the forecast may not be fishable long but it is now. A customer reported catching two on our Johney Cash Spey fly three days ago.

01/12/15 Customers have been reporting some nice catches of steelhead. The clear water is causing some anglers problems but levels are good.

02/01/15 The catching has slowed down due to low water levels and very clear water but a few fish are still being hooked.